Need A Job? Stop Applying Willy-Nilly

Job seekers, stop everything you're doing and listen up: You're doing it wrong. Applying aimlessly to jobs that you're only marginally interested in just because there's an opening isn't the way to go. Recruiters know better — and so should you.

If you need a job, stop applying willy-nilly! Start targeting your search, apply to the right positions, and land something that will actually provide your life and career with value. Here's how:

Pick jobs that match your experience

If you majored in advertising and have skills related to creative design, you likely won't be the ideal candidate for a programming job at a tech startup (not unless you have transferable skills, but I'll get to that). So, it's important to pick jobs that match your experience. You'd be surprised, but some candidates do venture into unlikely industries in their job search. Though these jobs may house attractive offers, if you don't have the experience, education, or background, you probably won't be the ideal person for the job.

What you may not know… Read the description properly. If the job requires 10+ years of experience and you only have five, you're probably not going to get a call back.

Use your transferable skills

Transferable skills essentially mean those skills that can be used under multiple settings or projects. For example, if you're the same advertising candidate, you may have ample leadership experience which can transfer over to different settings. You can use those leadership skills in the client retention or acquisition side of things, on top of your other job duties. So, by highlighting these skills, you become the more attractive candidate because the employer can do more with less.

What you may not know… Your transferable skills may not be so obvious to everyone. Be sure to point out how you used them by illustrating a real example that led to a positive result. This can be done in your resume, expanded in your cover letter, or even highlighted in your LinkedIn profile.

Ask your network

Your network can be a powerful part of the success of your job search. Word of mouth and referrals are typically cited as the number one way employers find great talent. That means your best bet may not lie in traditional job search methods — it may be better to ask your friends, co-workers, and members of your professional network for help in your search.

What you may not know… It's important to have an established relationship with your contacts. That is, you shouldn't just ask them for something once you need it. Show your value during the networking process and be sure to ask if they need anything in return.

Don't apply en masse

Applying to a slew of jobs en masse is probably the worst thing you can do. Not only are you failing to customize your search or your application materials, you're probably not managing the process well either. When it comes down to it, managing your career — whether you have a job or not — is the one of the most important things you can do. So, instead of throwing hundreds of resumes into the laps of hiring managers, find jobs or companies you admire, create contacts, and tailor your application materials towards the position. In this case, quality is far better than quantity.

What you may not know… Use specific keywords from the job description in your resume or cover letter. For example, if the description calls for a candidate to have Photoshop experience, show how you used the program in the past. This will help you to stand out from other candidates because you noted a skill an employer needs.

While it may seem like a good strategy to apply for any and all jobs, know that this strategy probably won't lead you to the career of your dreams. Focusing your search through the above tips will result in a much better outcome because you targeted it to your strengths, interests, and experience.

What do you think? What are some other ways a candidate can search for the right job?

Val Matta is the vice president of business development at CareerShift, a comprehensive job hunting and career management solution for university career centers that gives students and alumni complete control over their job search. Connect with Val and CareerShift on LinkedIn.